Despite acquiring Kasparas Jakucionis in the NBA draft, the Miami Heat are still in need of a veteran ball-handler. Jakucionis will need multiple years before he can step into the role of being Miami’s lead playmaker.
In a recent article, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz named the Heat as a potential landing spot for Russell Westbrook. The former NBA MVP is currently an unrestricted free agent after declining his player option with the Denver Nuggets earlier this summer.
“Although he’s 36 and far from a perfect player at this stage in his career, there’s no doubting that Westbrook can still bring the juice to a team’s scoring attack,” Swartz wrote. “…Westbrook would join a guard rotation that features Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell and rookie Kasparas Jakučionis, giving Miami a dynamic playmaker that can still get downhill and attack a defense. With making a playoff run still very much the goal, Westbrook can keep the seat warm for a year while Jakučionis learns the NBA game.”
Westbrook would likely slide straight into Erik Spoelstra’s starting lineup. He would provide elite-level playmaking, especially when running the floor in transition. However, adding Westbrook would do little to solve the Heat’s limited floor spacing. Nevertheless, Pat Riley couldn’t ask for much more, from a talent standpoint, when signing a player to a veteran minimum deal.
Heat Are Likely Done Making Trades
In a recent episode of the “Zaslow Show 2.0,” ESPN’s NBA cap expert Bobby Marks explained why he doesn’t expect Miami to make another big move ahead of the new season.
“I mean, listen, we’re going to see probably within the next couple of days, Beal become available in free agency,” Marks said. “I think the Norman Powell move eliminates that, as far as what they need. They’re a little bit below the first apron, so they can go out and sign a minimum guy if they want to do that. But I’m not anticipating another big move.”
Therefore, acquiring Westbrook via free agency could be a smart move by the Heat. He would bring significant experience and would easily elevate the team’s guard rotation. After all, Terry Rozier‘s future with the franchise is questionable at best.
Jakucionis Excited to Play With Heat Stars
Regardless of whether Westbrook signs with the Heat or not, Jakucionis will get a considerable amount of playing time in the upcoming season. Spoelstra is a proven commodity when it comes to developing talent. He will know how to get the best out of the rookie.
When speaking to the media after being drafted, Jakucionis shared his excitement at the opportunity to play with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.
“The playmaking ability is what I do,” Jakucionis said. “I’m just grateful to play with guys like Bam Adebayo. We can play together in pick-and-rolls. And Tyler Herro and all those kinds of players. I’m just very happy and grateful to be in this place…I’m so excited. I’m just grateful for this moment to be in this place with this opportunity to get my name called. It’s special for me. That was what I was working for all my life since I was little, and that was my dream. But now this is just the beginning, and everything starts from new.”
If Riley does manage to convince Westbrook to move to South Beach this summer, Jakucionis can add another name to the list of players he’s excited to learn from. After all, Westbrook could teach him a lot, in regards to being an elite playmaker and offensive-minded guard in the NBA.
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